Why didn't you use NBW castings? Grandt has square bolt versions.
Trainman
I had used the Grandt line detail parts on a GGD tower I detailed before. I have been undecided and wanted to try the 2-56 screws to see what they "look" like.
I'm thinking these are oversize and I may order the Grandt line ones again. Not sure what size of bolts typically held these things together.
Like other tasks with this project I'm not afraid to redo things lol
Does anyone have ideas for making stringers for stairs? A jig or little known secret perhaps they would like to share?
Al
albertstrains posted:Does anyone have ideas for making stringers for stairs? A jig or little known secret perhaps they would like to share?
Al
I've used these successfully.
http://www.rustystumps.com/proddetail.asp?prod=D3502
Bob
I've made them by hand using the 90 degree corner punch sold by MicroMark, but I just purchased the laser cut stringers and treads along with the jig to assemble them from Rusty Stumps. I haven't used them yet since they just arrived last week, but I plan on using them for some upcoming projects. I'll post in my ongoing thread when I do.
I print out a template on a printer, lay balsa on it, and just cut away with a razor blade. Tedious, but not really hard.
Hi Pete
Sounds easy but I don't know how to print out a template with a printer. Lol
I decided to work on getting trains running now that the Tower has its base attached.
Here are some pics of where it will located, off track # 2 at the end of the platform.
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Well I decided to remove the 2-56 screws(just too big) for now and will probably go with Grandt line ones.
I have finished the main bracing and now I will be focusing on the ladders on the front, walkways and the sheave/pulley supports next
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Did a little work on the Tower tonite.
Made the sheave/pulley supports and have one of the Plastruct pulleys shown in one of the pics.
I have "pulled the trigger" and purchased a bunch of Grandt line Bolt/square washers to detail the Tower with. Should look good.
Next...walkways and chute construction!
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Well I didn't like the "look" of the pulley supports(too big) so I made new ones.
Also, debated using pre-made ladders, but decided to scratch build em(why stop now?)
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I have decided today that I am "done" all the wood construction on the tower, other than small details I will finish in the roof assembly.
Not to sure on what color this tower would have been back in the day. I have seen red oxide on most CPR wood structures but also some coaling towers that are just black.
I am going to try the tower in red oxide with yellow windows and black trim.
Decided to paint the structure before I add all the metal parts I will need to make(chutes, pulley shaft supports etc).
I thinking of 6 goose neck lites for various locations on the tower
Here are a few pics of the new paint.
Of course I will be painting the concrete pilings as well
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Yes!
Al,
you did a really nice job on this project.
alan graziano
Al:
Nice job
Joe
Great work and the red oxide gives it personality.
Thank you All for the encouragement! It's been an enjoyable and rewarding project.
I have painted it in red oxide for now but I'm thinking it's going to end up black...lol
The only color pic of this particular tower is shown in glorious black(with grey shingle roof).
Here are the latest pics and the one vintage color photo
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Great build!
Not that you asked, but if I were you I would leave the red oxide, but weather the heck out of it. Make up a heavy concentration of ink/alcohol and go at it. Follow up with black chalk. You could end up with an almost-black structure that still shows hints of a long-ago coat of red. I think that approach would honor the spirit (if not the letter) of your prototype very well, and give your model a lot of character.
Hello Pete
Great suggestion and another new skill to learn with ink/alchol! I will need to read up on the techniques.
I will also need to make "shingles" for the roof. I have a couple of ideas, mainly using grey 500 grit sandpaper and my paper cutter, but always open to suggestions lol
Al
One nice way to make scratch-built shingles is with pinking shears. I did this roof that way:
Avanti posted:. . . if I were you I would leave the red oxide, but weather the heck out of it. Make up a heavy concentration of ink/alcohol and go at it. Follow up with black chalk. You could end up with an almost-black structure that still shows hints of a long-ago coat of red. I think that approach would honor the spirit (if not the letter) of your prototype very well, and give your model a lot of character.
An excellent suggestion, Pete.
Gentlemen.....i have no idea what "pinking" shears are Lol
Please elaborate further on your method(s)....
I agree with the "honour the spirit" of the prototype. The coaling tower shown was in Winnipeg and had to been standing for almost 50 years already, when the color pic was taken.
I will need to weather this model, before I install the chutes, pulleys and counter weights.
Al
https://www.google.com.au/sear...biw=1920&bih=940
Used for dressmaking, Al.
Thank you Max! Now I know, I've forgotten as it has been many years since I made a dress Lol
I think I am going to go for the rectangular shingle look somehow for the roof.
Dug up another color pic of the coaling tower(looks pretty black to me), I may have to redecorate....
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albertstrains posted:Thank you Max! Now I know, I've forgotten as it has been many years since I made a dress Lol
Don't worry, Al. It will come back to you.
Here we are at the start of the long weekend and I have finally done something else to the tower....
It has been kinda crappy weather(wet snow rain) so I plan to hide in the basement if possible.
Anyways, I decided to spray the tower with flat black enamel(Demcote).
I didn't totally spray it solid, I would say I did "hi lites".
Once it was kinda dry I took some 220 sand paper and litely sanded over various areas to "blend" in the black.
It seems to be looking pretty good for now. Hopefully I can get the chutes made and install this weekend....
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Slow progress lately on the coaling tower(and layout) due to life and reality rearing their ugly heads.
My Wife recently had a serious medical event last week that has post-poned her long awaited trip to Europe and these things due happen.
Anyways, I did manage to apply all the Grandt Line bolt/washer castings to the tower but not much else.
One more week and I am taking a week off work to hopefully catch up on some "Train" time, with the Wife hopefully in Europe(for her sake)lol
Here are a few pics not that I think anyone can see the bolts/washers I glued on. Very tedious work
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Very convincing, Al.
Looks great! Thanks for sharing the steps.
Nick
I have had a week off(staycation)and have been finishing up the coaling plant.
Sway aprons(chutes)
have been installed with chains, pulleys and counter weights.
I cheated abit on the roof(no shingles) but have added additional details on the dummy chutes.
Here are the pics and vid of the movable chutes
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Very impressive, Al
Looks really nice! Weathering, design, execution and operating parts... all terrific!
I finally got back to the Tower project and decided to make a new roof with smaller windows and other changes from the previous.
I used Grandt Line window castings, which I cut and spliced for the sizes I needed. I also scribed the siding on front and back of the assembly. Finally found O scale shingles for the roof, so that was also added.
Lighting an additional ladder will be next things to do.
I am off work now on sick leave(due to RA) and hope to find an Rx that will get things under control, so working on the layout helps with the stress...lol
Here are a few pics of the progress
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Looking terrific! Sorry to hear about you RA. They keep advertising some very powerful biologics for autoimmune illnesses, but the list of their side effects makes my blood run cold. Best of luck finding one that does the job for you.
Amazing! Love the shingles. Individual or strips of shingles?
Great work, Al! I like those counter-weighted chutes.
Plastruct......lol
Sheets of shingles definitely easier than individual.